The World Junior Championship is often the most highly anticipated tournament of the year. It’s timing over Christmas and New Year’s makes it a holiday tradition for us hockey fans to tune in. This year, the tournament is taking place in Minnesota, so the games are at a North American-friendly time. That will be perfect for Edmonton Oilers fans as we try to keep tabs on our team’s prospects featured at this year’s event.
Over the past handful of years, there has been very little Oilers-centric presence at the World Juniors. Even last season, there were also only two Edmonton prospects at the tournament, being Beau Akey and Paul Fischer. With the Oilers contending for the Stanley Cup right now, often shipping off draft picks to bolster the lineup at the trade deadline, and the recent prospect pool replenishment focused on players who have aged out of U-20 tournament eligibility, it comes as no surprise that this is the case.
The 2026 tournament will be a stage for two of Edmonton’s 2025 draft picks to showcase their talent and development, hopefully contributing to their growth as draft steals in a few years. Let’s take a closer look at the two Oilers prospects, Asher Barnett and David Lewandowski.
Asher Barnett, defender, Team USA
Barnett joined the Oilers organization earlier this year as their fifth-round draft pick this past June. A rather unassuming defender, he has spent most of his playing time over the past couple of seasons with the US National Development Team. Last season with the U18 team, he recorded 22 points in 58 games. Clearly indicating that the national team values his play style and placed him on their radar early.
Barnett is primarily a defensive-oriented player, with most of his strengths coming on that defensive side of the game. As reported post-draft, he excels in physicality, transitional play, gap control, and overall defensive instincts. He makes smart plays with the puck, is usually in the right position, and finds ways to shut plays down. Although the offensive side of his game may be underwhelming, a steady defensive defender who can initiate a transition up the ice is extremely valuable. And with his overall intelligence and approach to the game, he could very easily improve offensively by the time he turns pro.
This season, Barnett has been with the University of Michigan, where he has eight assists in 20 games while leading his team in plus-minus.
At this tournament, expect Barnett to fill a bottom pairing, depth role on the defence.
David Lewandowski, forward, Team Germany
Maybe the 2025 draft will go down as a pivotal one for the Edmonton Oilers. Lewandowski is the second Oilers draft pick from this June to make his nation’s World Junior Championship roster.
Lewandowski’s presence on Team Germany is perhaps less surprising than Barnett’s on Team USA. Lewandowski is one of the top German prospects in the world right now, and one of just three NHL-drafted players on the roster.
That does not detract from Lewandowski’s game, however. He is here on his own merit as a hard-working, two-way forward with a high ceiling. The winger was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 draft, valued for his versatile playstyle and potential as a modern-day power forward. His 2025–26 season has been off to a fantastic start as his offensive game continues to develop. He is nearly eclipsing his point totals from last season with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL. He has tied his 24 assists already, while his eight goals and 32 points remain seven shy of last season in both stats.
Lewandowski should fill a major role with Team Germany, likely top line and top power play. His physicality and simple, hard-nosed playstyle will match up well against the top teams at the tournament. Germany will look to him as a triggerman trying to generate offence through his strong shot and shot selection traits.
These two prospects will give us something to watch throughout the tournament. And we can even keep tabs on former Oilers prospect Sam O’Reilly, who is playing on Team Canada.
Who are you most excited to watch? Drop a comment down below!
